NEWCASTLE UNITED’s midfield options have reduced further after Lewis Miley was diagnosed with glandular fever.

The Magpies are already without Harvey Barnes, who is set to be sidelined for another two months or so with a foot injury, and Joe Willock, who is easing his way back into training but remains a little way off a first-team return.

While Sandro Tonali is currently still available for selection, the Italian is set to be handed a lengthy ban after being accused of breaking betting regulations in his native Italy.

Had he been available, Miley would almost certainly have been in the squad for this afternoon’s home game with Crystal Palace.

The 17-year-old midfielder impressed as he burst onto the senior scene at the end of last season, catching the eye as he struck the crossbar on his senior debut against Chelsea on the final day of the campaign.

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The teenager started last month’s Carabao Cup win over Manchester City, but has subsequently been struck down by glandular fever. He is not currently training, and is unlikely to return to full capacity for at least another fortnight.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “Lewis isn’t currently available because he’s got glandular fever. He’s currently resting from that.

“I think he’s probably a couple of weeks into what we think will be four weeks of lower physical exertion, but then hopefully we can build him up.

“That’s a real blow for us, and for him, because he is a real talent. At such a young age, we have to nurse him through this.”

Howe clearly rates Miley extremely highly given his willingness to throw him into the senior fray at the end of last season.

A ball-playing central midfielder, Newcastle’s coaching staff will be hoping Miley follows the same development path trod by his fellow native North-Easterner, Elliot Anderson.

Howe added: “He would certainly have been in and around the squad (if he wasn’t unavailable). He was before the illness. He’s a player we really like.”